The History Of Tom Jones, A Foundling
contributor: Eric Lease Morgan (Infomotions, Inc.)
creator: Fielding, Henry
date: 0000-00-00
extent: 1992305
format: text/plain
language: en
publisher: Eris Etext Project
rights: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/GPL/2.0/
source: 1
subject: jones
subject: sophia
subject: lady
subject: man
subject: allworthy
subject: foundling
subject: henry
subject: fielding
subject: book
subject: containing
subject: birth
subject: proper
subject: acquaint
subject: reader
subject: beginning
subject: history
subject: chapter
subject: introduction
subject: tom
subject: english
subject: literature
type: text
local mirror: fielding-history-243.txt
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plain html: fielding-history-243.htm
sort title: History Of Tom Jones, A Foundling, The
full text: 1749 THE HISTORY OF TOM JONES, A FOUNDLING by Henry Fielding BOOK I CONTAINING AS MUCH OF THE BIRTH OF THE FOUNDLING AS IS NECESSARY OR PROPER TO ACQUAINT THE READER WITH IN THE BEGINNING OF THIS HISTORY Chapter 1 The introduction to the work, or bill of fare to the feast An author ought to consider himself, not as a gentleman who gives a private or eleemosynary treat, but rather as one who keeps a public ordinary, at which all persons are welcome for their money. In the former case, it is well known that the entertainer provides what fare he pleases; and though this should be very indifferent, and utterly disagreeable to the taste of his company, they must not find any fault; nay, on the contrary, good breeding forces them outwardly to approve and to commend whatever is set before them. Now the contrary of this happens to the master of an ordinary. Men who pay for what they eat will insist on gratifying their palates, however nice and whimsical these may prove; and if everything is not agreeable to their taste, will challenge a right to censure, to abuse, and to d--n their dinner without controul. To prevent, therefore, giving offence to their customers by any such disappointment, it hath been usual with the honest and well-meaning host to provide a bill of fare which all persons may peruse at their first entrance into the house; and having thence acquainted themselves with the entertainment which they may expect, may either stay and regale with what is provided for them, or may depart to some other ordinary better accommodated to their taste. As we do not disdain to borrow wit or wisdom from any man who is capable of lending us either, we have condescended to take a hint from these honest victuallers, and shall prefix not only a general bill of fare to our whole entertainment, but shall likewise give the reader particular bills to every course which is to be served up in this and the ensuing volumes. The provision, then, which we have here made is no other than Hu…